One Nation's Historic Win Shakes Up Secret Harbour By-Election

In a surprising turn of events, One Nation has claimed its first lower house seat in Western Australia by winning the Secret Harbour by-election, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.

Luke Herdegen, the party's candidate, celebrated the victory shortly after polling closed, with the ABC's chief elections analyst Casey Briggs predicting the win just four hours into the vote count. One Nation's WA leader, Rod Caddies, announced the triumph at 9:30 PM local time, although the Labor party, represented by Georgia Tree, had not yet conceded.

Historically, Secret Harbour has been a bastion for the Labor party since 1989, most recently held by Paul Papalia with a comfortable 11.5% margin. WA Premier Roger Cook had emphasized the stakes, referring to the by-election as a "fight for our lives" amidst One Nation's growing challenge. Caddies remarked, "You’re witnessing a result they said was impossible," highlighting the party's unexpected surge.

Heralding a potential transformation in voter sentiment, Cook acknowledged that no seat is safely held by Labor anymore, warning that the outcome could send shockwaves throughout the nation. The area, characterized by a blend of older residents and young families, has shown parallels with regions where One Nation has recently gained traction.

Herdegen, a gym owner who moved to WA for better opportunities, campaigned on diverse local issues, from waste collection to housing concerns. Despite facing scrutiny over past comments related to drug use, he maintained that his experiences aimed to inspire change.

While Labor may find solace in the fact that by-elections often differ from general election outcomes, the loss signifies a major setback for a party that has dominated WA politics for nearly a decade.

Source: www.abc.net.au